The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-09-24
THE OTLEY TELEGRAM
SPECIAL MEETING or THE INVESTL
GATLYG COMMITTEE.


Interesting Testimony by Mr.. Otley-Ibe
Man Who Sent the Forged Message Be
lieved TO be spotted Member Of the
City Council Thought 10 be the Offender.
The special committee appointed from
the Board Of Aldermen 20 investigate the
Otley forged telegram, sent June IL, 1887,
met in the Council chamber last night
AT 7 o'clock Present Messrs. Ira X.
Bland, chairman, Powers, Davis, and
Crump, City Attorney Meredith 10y inyi-
tationl, and Alderman John W. Otley, 70
whom the telegram was sent.
Mr. Powers asked what were the pow
ers Of the committee.
Mr. Meredith said IL was something he
had not Investigated, but he was inclined
10 believe that the committee did not
have the power to force the attendance
Of persons, compelling them to answer
questions, or requiring the production Of
papers
KNEW THE MAN.
Mr.. Meredith continuing, said that Mr.
Witt and the detectives had investigated
the matter, and were confident that they
knew who sent the telegram that a
description Of him was obtained, and the
parties who saw him send it had been
seen He limited broadly that the author
was a member OF the City Council. He
explained all the five legal points in
volyed, which has prevented Mr. Witt
from taking criminal procedure In the
case.
Mr. Crump offered resolution that the
committee first investigate whether the
sending Of the forged telegram was in
tended TO affect Mr. Ouey's rights as an
Alderman OF whether it only affected his
private rights
Mr. Bland said his idea was 10 find out
who sent the telegram. report thIt result
20 the Board Of Aldermen. and let them
determine what action should be taken
toward finding out why 10 was sent In
his opinion 'he reputation of the Board
of Aldermen was involved.
MI Powers moved as a substitute that
the investigation be proceeded with at
once.
Agreed TO-.
MIR. OTLEY TEsTFlEs.
Mr. Otey was the first witness, aud
made oath before Mr.. b. r. Crump, notary
public.
Mr.. Otley said he was a member OF the
+ Board and bad been interviewed on sat
urday evening, the llth of January, rs "a
/ how he would vote ON the Pizzini res0lu.
ton. was interviewed by Mr. Duncan
/ Councilman +. c. Murphy was at the
/ door of my Office told Mr. Duncan that
f / was unalterably opposed TO the Pizzini
resolution. another party was witt Duncan
but don't know who he was but have been
told. he was a tOOp-shOuldered, thin
medium sized man do not know if he
heard the interview all three and two Oi
three Others had been standing outside
the door about ten minutes was inter
viewed the next day Sunday in gen
eral way did not remember by whom
the party was not one Of the other three
received the telegram June 18Th at hil
Office about 10 o'clock (which is now il
The hands Of police, but did not person
ally see it until about 4 o'clock
THE TELEGRAM
read. Come to Washington on evenin.
train. meet me at Metropolitan Hotel
important. d. W. Minetree. Though
the telegram b0Ho .fde, otherwise woull
mot have gone TO Washington had busl
ness relations with Minetree. selling hin
oil for the Richmond and Danyille rail
road when be received 10 he went q
see Mr. Powers who advised him 10 go
and yet Mr.. Powers TO have recorded "a
the meeting OF the Board why he cOul'
not be present, and that were be presen
he would vote mo ON the "Plzznl
resolution; telegraphed Minetree that h'
was coming, saw Minetree at Washing
ton, who was surprised at the Telegram
he received Minetrec was tsetted, am
together they went to the office where
was sent; saw telegram, and notice
the handwriting Minetree denounced
as q forgery in the presence OF Mt. blylh
oore. Insurance agent kept quiet abou
% IL so as to make a still hunt to hnd on
the forqer: mentioned il in the Board q
Aldermen at their next meeting IN Jull
Councilman
p. G. MURPHY
had been in his employ and knew OF h
business relations with Minetree whe
q
y nized the handwriting, and at once d
+ name of a certain person came TO III
mind did not think, however this pc
son had done il, ss he thought he ha
too much sense examined handwriiin
ia his possession at his office, and ioun
the telegram and that handwriting sim
lar the writing was Mr.. +. c. Murphy
: the detectives have q number of letters
Nj Murphy's in their possession, give
them by witness.
/, Mr r. W Powers confirmed Mr.. Otley
statement as TO his visit TO him on Jun
p, 18Th. with the telegram calling him o'
of town.
Mi Otley, continuing, said he kne
Of nothing that could have been eifect'
- bv his absence except TO keep him ava
from the Board of Aldermen that nigh
|. 1t could not have affected his priya
business. the article published in Il
Truth last July, headed
5 "WHO is JOHN ". OTLEY
he had found out was written by VI